Leu72Met Polymorphism of the GHRL Gene Increases the Risk Factor for Obesity in a Javanese Ethnic Group from Indonesia

Purpose: Ghrelin is found as an endogenous ligand for growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR). Several studies have reported an association between plasma ghrelin and GHRL-single nucleotide polymorphism, namely the Leu72Met polymorphism, with Body mass Index, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and insulin resistance. The role of gene variant of GHRL Leu72Met in obesity is still unclear. The aim of the present study was to examine the associations of Leu72Met with ghrelin levels, insulin secretion, and obesity among Javanese subjects. Materials and methods: All subjects were measured with anthropometry, and fasting blood glucose was measured by the glucose oxidase-phenol and 4 aminophenazone method. Plasma insulin and ghrelin were measured using ELISA. Insulin secretion was calculated using HOMA analysis. The Leu72Met genetic variant of the ghrelin gene was screened using PCR-RFLP. Results: Plasma ghrelin concentrations were lower in the obese group than the lean group (P < 0.05). Fasting plasma ghrelin was negatively correlated with body mass index and insulin secretion. Subjects with the Met72 allele carried a higher risk of obesity than the subjects with the Leu72 allele (OR = 4.928 [95% CI = 2.424–10.01]). Conclusion: The conclusion of this study is Leu72Met polymorphisms increases the risk of obesity in Javanese ethnicity, but this polymorphism does not play a role in plasma ghrelin secretion and plasma insulin secretion.